CPS LEADERSHIP

Christine Kelleher Palus, PhD, was appointed Dean of Villanova University’s College of Professional Studies in June 2018.  Dr. Palus also holds the rank of professor in the Department of Public Administration. Prior to joining the College of Professional Studies, Dr. Palus served as Dean of Graduate Studies in Villanova’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.  Dr. Palus chaired the Department of Public Administration for several years while also directing Villanova’s nationally accredited master’s program in Public Administration.

An accomplished scholar, Dr. Palus’ research on public administration and management, state and local politics, urban politics and women in politics has been widely published in leading academic journals and other publications.

Dr. Palus earned her BA at Fairfield University, where she double-majored in Visual and Performing Arts (Music) and Politics. She earned her MA and PhD in Political Science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Notably, Dr. Palus (with co-author Susan Webb Yackee, PhD) won the Beryl Radin award from the Public Management Research Association for Best Article published in the Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory during 2016.  This award is one of the highest honors in the field of public management.

Upon her appointment as Dean of the College of Professional Studies, Dean Palus stated, "The College of Professional Studies occupies a very special place in Villanova’s history and tradition, as well as its future. Our adult students in CPS are highly motivated and intensely inspiring. They bring a deep passion for education, as well as exceptional professional experiences, to our academic community. I am overjoyed, honored and humbled by this appointment."